The boxing world turns its attention to Egypt tonight as heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk returns to defend his world titles against kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven in one of the most unique crossover fights of 2026. The blockbuster event takes place at the legendary Pyramids of Giza, creating a spectacular setting for a night filled with championship boxing action.
Usyk enters the fight as the reigning WBC and WBA heavyweight champion after a dominant run that included victories over Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. The Ukrainian champion remains undefeated in professional boxing and continues to build his legacy as one of the greatest technical heavyweights of the modern era.
For Verhoeven, tonight represents the biggest challenge of his combat sports career. The Dutch kickboxing icon is stepping into just his second professional boxing match, but his size, power, and elite striking background have generated massive interest ahead of this showdown. Fans are eager to see whether Verhoeven can shock the boxing world against one of the sport’s smartest and most disciplined champions.
Usyk vs Verhoeven Event Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven |
| Date | Saturday, May 23, 2026 |
| Venue | Pyramids of Giza, Egypt |
| Start Time | 6:00 PM BST / 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT |
| Main Event Ringwalks | Approx. 10:48 PM BST / 5:48 PM ET / 2:48 PM PT |
| Main Event | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven |
| Title on the Line | WBC & WBA Heavyweight Titles |
| Scheduled Rounds | 12 Rounds |
| Broadcast | DAZN Pay-Per-View |
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven Round-by-Round Live Final Results
| Category | Winner | Loser | Method | Round | Official Time | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Oleksandr Usyk | Rico Verhoeven | TKO | Round 11 | 2:59 | WBC Heavyweight Title |
Oleksandr Usyk once again proved why he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing, stopping Rico Verhoeven late in Round 11 after a dominant performance. Usyk controlled the fight with his movement, speed, and sharp combinations before the referee stepped in at 2:59 of the round to secure another successful WBC heavyweight title defense.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven Fight Card Results
| Division | Fight | Result | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven | Oleksandr Usyk def. Rico Verhoeven | TKO | Round 11 |
| Super Middleweight | Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic | Hamzah Sheeraz def. Alem Begic | KO | Round 2 |
| Welterweight | Jack Catterall vs Shakhram Giyasov | Jack Catterall def. Shakhram Giyasov | Unanimous Decision | 12 Rounds |
| Heavyweight | Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr. | Frank Sanchez def. Richard Torrez Jr. | KO | Round 2 |
Preliminary Fight Results
| Division | Fight | Result | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Flyweight | Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman | Mizuki Hiruta def. Mai Soliman | Unanimous Decision | 10 Rounds |
| Light Heavyweight | Benjamin Mendes vs Daniel Lapin | Benjamin Mendes def. Daniel Lapin | TKO | Round 4 |
| Lightweight | Sultan Almohammed vs Dedy Imprax | Sultan Almohammed def. Dedy Imprax | KO | Round 1 |
| Cruiserweight | Jamar Talley vs Basem Mamdouh | Jamar Talley def. Basem Mamdouh | KO | Round 2 |
| Welterweight | Omar Hikal vs Michael Kalyalya | Omar Hikal def. Michael Kalyalya | KO | Round 3 |
| Welterweight | Mahmoud Mobark vs Ali Sserunkuma | Mahmoud Mobark def. Ali Sserunkuma | Unanimous Decision | 10 Rounds |
Main Card Fight Lineup
The event features several major championship fights before the heavyweight main event begins.
| Division | Fight |
|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven |
| WBO Super Middleweight Title | Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Alem Begic |
| WBA Welterweight Title | Jack Catterall vs. Shakhram Giyasov |
| Heavyweight | Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr |
| WBO super flyweight title | Mizuki Hiruta vs. Mai Soliman |
What Is at Stake Tonight?
This fight is more than just a heavyweight title defense. For Usyk, it is another major step in his planned three-fight farewell tour before retirement. A victory would further cement his place among boxing’s all-time great heavyweights.
For Verhoeven, this is an opportunity to make combat sports history. Defeating an undefeated heavyweight champion in only his second professional boxing appearance would become one of the biggest upsets in recent boxing memory.
Fans around the world are expecting drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments as boxing arrives at one of the most iconic locations on Earth for a truly historic night.